Santa Cruz River

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Cruz River ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in Arizona, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 245 Arizona natural areas, placing it in the 98th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 245 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 245 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Arizona

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Argia sedula

Blue-ringed Dancer

Very Common13 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common10 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common7 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common6 obs.

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallow

Very Common6 obs.

Jacana spinosa

Northern Jacana

Common6 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common6 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common6 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Common5 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common5 obs.

Melozone aberti

Abert's Towhee

Common5 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Occasional4 obs.

Polistes aurifer

Occasional4 obs.

Hetaerina americana

American Rubyspot

Occasional4 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional4 obs.

Spatula cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal

Occasional4 obs.

Cyprinus carpio

common carp, carp

Occasional4 obs.

Sympetrum corruptum

Variegated Meadowhawk

Rare4 obs.

Cotinis mutabilis

Figeater beetle

Rare4 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Rare3 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Santa Cruz River. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+28%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Arizona

Importance: 0.73

100 species

0% vs. current

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

0% vs. current

Scottsdale

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Flagstaff

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Yuma

Importance: 0.47

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Maricopa County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Sedona

Importance: 0.43

19 species

+426% vs. current

Coconino County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Arizona.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+28%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Arizona

Importance: 0.73

100 species

0% vs. current

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

0% vs. current

Scottsdale

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Flagstaff

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Yuma

Importance: 0.47

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Maricopa County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Sedona

Importance: 0.43

19 species

+426% vs. current

Coconino County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 245 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 245 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Arizona

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Argia sedula

Blue-ringed Dancer

Very Common13 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common10 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common7 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Very Common6 obs.

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallow

Very Common6 obs.

Jacana spinosa

Northern Jacana

Common6 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common6 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common6 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Common5 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common5 obs.

Melozone aberti

Abert's Towhee

Common5 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Occasional4 obs.

Polistes aurifer

Occasional4 obs.

Hetaerina americana

American Rubyspot

Occasional4 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional4 obs.

Spatula cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal

Occasional4 obs.

Cyprinus carpio

common carp, carp

Occasional4 obs.

Sympetrum corruptum

Variegated Meadowhawk

Rare4 obs.

Cotinis mutabilis

Figeater beetle

Rare4 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.